A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Frankfurt vs. Denver for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Frankfurt or Denver?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Frankfurt and Denver can help you decide which place is right for you.

Frankfurt

Frankfurt is a dynamic, diverse, and accessible city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Denver

Denver is a park-filled, suburban, and accessible city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the nightlife, hiking, and shopping.

Frankfurt and Denver: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Popular for food and cuisine
  • Active nightlife
  • Scenic old town
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Good for students
  • Good public transit
  • Very walkable
  • Big city activities
Pros
  • Popular for skiing
  • Active nightlife
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
Things to Consider
  • Less museums and historical sights
  • Less popular for food
  • Less popular with backpackers
  • Less popular for students
  • Public transit not as usable
  • Less walkable


Is there more to do in Frankfurt or Denver?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Frankfurt. Although Frankfurt and Denver are roughly the same size, Frankfurt has more sights and attractions for tourists. Frankfurt is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Denver is known for its skiing and hiking. Frankfurt is more touristy than Denver and is popular for its financial industry, its popularity as a transportation hub, and its active nightlife. It is also home to The Old Town Center. Denver is popular for serving as a gateway to the Rocky Mountains and the many national parks that are in the area.

The Old Town Center
The Old Town Center

How is Frankfurt different from Denver?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Denver and Frankfurt. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is Frankfurt or Denver Better for Skiing?

Frankfurt
Denver

Denver is very good for skiing and snowboarding. However, Frankfurt is not a skiing destination.

Head to Denver for some great skiing and other winter activities. Although there's no skiing in the immediate area, there is a huge list of world class ski resorts within an hour or two of town. Two of the closest are Echo Mountain Resort and Loveland Ski Area.

Frankfurt is not a skiing destination.


Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Frankfurt or Denver?

Frankfurt
Denver

Frankfurt is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Denver is not a good city for its museums and history.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Frankfurt can be an interesting and educational experience. Many sights are concentrated in the old town center. Highlights include the Historical Museum and St. Nicholas Church. Elsewhere, make sure you check out Maintower, the Städel Museum, and the Museum District.

While most people don't head to Denver specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. Many people use Denver as a starting or ending point for their mountain and national park trip, but those who linger can visit some of the city's museums and sights. Popular museums include the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, the History Colorado Center, and the Forney Museum of Transportation.

Is the Food Better in Frankfurt or Denver? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Frankfurt
Denver

Frankfurt is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Denver is not a good city for its restaurants.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Frankfurt. In addition to a number of international restaurants, the city also has a strong regional cuisine. Some of the most interesting local dishes include Frankfurter Sausage, Rindwurst, Grüne Soße (an herb sauce), and Handkäse mit Musik (marinated sour milk cheese). Also make sure you sample the Apfelwein.

Denver may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. It's a pretty large city, so you'll find some nice local restaurants, but the foodie scene is still emerging in many neighborhoods. A number of restaurants offer outdoor seating, which is nice. You'll also find a growing selection of international restaurants. For something uniquely local, you should try the Bison steak and fried pickles.

Is Frankfurt or Denver Better for Nightlife?

Frankfurt
Denver

Frankfurt is a well-known place for nightlife and partying. Also, Denver is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Frankfurt offers plenty to do in the evening. It's a vibrant city with many trendy clubs, cocktail bars, music venues, and more. You can enjoy techno, hip hop, and almost any style of music. There are also festivals, beer halls, and classic pubs.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Denver. The city has come a long way with its nightlife. There's a great craft beer scene and the downtown area has really come to life. Popular bars and clubs in town include the Grizzly Rose and 54Thirty Rooftop. Many places are concentrated in the Soco Nightlife District.


Is Frankfurt or Denver Better for its Old Town?

Frankfurt
Denver

Frankfurt is a nice place to visit for its old town. However, Denver does not have a historic old town.

Many people head to Frankfurt to see the old town. Many museums and cafes are concentrated in the old town area.

Denver does not have a historic old town.

Is Frankfurt or Denver Better for Hiking?

Frankfurt
Denver

Denver is very good for its hiking trails. However, Frankfurt is not a hiking destination.

Many people include a hike when visiting Denver. The city is very close to many beautiful parks and hiking areas in the Rocky Mountains. It's not hard to make a day trip from town and enjoy some great hiking. Nice options include the Trading Post Trail in Red Rocks Mountain Park, Bergen Peak near Evergreen, and Chimney Gulch Trail near the town of Golden.

Frankfurt is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Frankfurt or Denver?

Frankfurt
Denver

Frankfurt is a well-known place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Denver is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping areas.

Frankfurt is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. It's a financial capital in Europe, and as such there are plenty of high end shopping opportunities. MyZeil is a major shopping mall in the city and Kleinmarkthalle is a more classic market. Popular shopping neighborhoods and streets include Goethestrasse, Sachsenhausen and Berger Strasse.

Denver has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The city has many outlet malls that budget shoppers appreciate. There are also weekend farmer's markets, boutique shopping areas, and all of the major chains that you'll find in most larger cities.


Is Frankfurt or Denver Better for Families?

Frankfurt
Denver

Frankfurt is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Denver is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Frankfurt is a very kid-friendly city. In town there's a zoo, a children’s museum, a math and technology museum (EXPERIMINTA), and a number of parks, natural areas, and playgrounds. If you're willing to head out of town then you can visit Taunus Wunderland, which is an amusement park with about 50 rides and attractions.

Denver is a family-friendly city. It is a family-friendly city with museums, playgrounds, and plenty of outdoor activities. There are also a few ropes courses near town that kids and adults alike will enjoy. Popular activities include the Denver Zoo, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, and Children's Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus.

Is Frankfurt or Denver Better for Couples?

Frankfurt
Denver

Both Frankfurt and Denver are good destinations to visit as a couple.

Frankfurt is a good city for couples to visit. The iconic spot of romance in the city is the Iron Footbridge, which is a traditional spot to attach a "love lock" and take a selfie. The city also offers river cruises, winery tours, and beautiful parks and natural areas.

Denver is a nice destination for couples. There are many beautiful and romantic outdoor activities in the area such as parks and botanical gardens. There are also spas, including the impressive Spa at the Brown Palace, as well as upscale restaurants and fun bars and clubs to explore.

Is Frankfurt or Denver Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Frankfurt
Denver

Frankfurt is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Denver is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Frankfurt is a great city to visit for backpackers. You'll find a number of hostels in town. The city is also a major transportation hub so many backpackers pass through the area at some point on their trip through Germany.

Denver is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Some backpackers fly into Denver to begin their national park tour. There is a hostel or two around town, and if you leave town quickly you'll find campgrounds not far away.


Is Frankfurt or Denver Better for Students?

Frankfurt
Denver

Frankfurt is renowned for students. Also, Denver is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Frankfurt is a great destination for students. The city offers prestigious universities and a world class education. The economy offers many internships and job opportunities and you'll find students from around the world studying here. Frankfurt is also well connected to the rest of Europe, so it's easy to explore the region.

Plenty of students visit Denver. There are a few students in the city, but there isn't a college town vibe that you'd get at other nearby university areas.

Is Frankfurt or Denver Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Frankfurt
Denver

Frankfurt is renowned for its public transit. Also, Denver is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Frankfurt has a great public transit system. It is a huge transportation hub with a major international airport and a number of international train connections. Locally, the city has a subway, trams, commuter trains and buses.

Denver has some public transit options. If you're not planning to leave town, the light rail and bus systems offer good access to much of Denver.

Is Frankfurt or Denver a more walkable city?

Frankfurt
Denver

Frankfurt is a well-known place for its high level of walkability. However, Denver is not a good city for its ease of walking around.

Frankfurt is a very walkable city. It has a compact city center that is generally pedestrian-friendly.

Denver is not a very walkable city. While the downtown area is generally walkable, this is still a sprawling city where you'll really want to have a car to access areas outside of town.


For even more information, also check out Is Frankfurt Worth Visiting? and Is Denver Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Denver or Frankfurt?

How long in Frankfurt or Denver?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Frankfurt and Denver. In our opinion, Frankfurt has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Frankfurt than Denver. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Frankfurt, and 2-3 days is enough time in Denver.

Families should spend more time in Frankfurt than Denver. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Frankfurt, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Frankfurt than Denver. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Frankfurt that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Frankfurt than Denver if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Frankfurt.


  • How many days in Frankfurt or Denver? Ideal Length of Stay
    Frankfurt 1-3 
    Denver 2-3

One day in Frankfurt or Denver?

Frankfurt is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

You'll find nightlife and shopping around the city of Denver. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Frankfurt or Denver?

Frankfurt is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

You'll find shopping and skiing around the suburban destination of Denver. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Frankfurt or Denver?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Frankfurt. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the skiing and nightlife when visiting the sprawling city of Denver. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.


A week in Frankfurt or Denver?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the dynamic big city of Frankfurt. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Denver is a popular choice for travelers. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in Germany, The Best Adventure Tours to Germany, The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, and The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Denver or Frankfurt?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Frankfurt is $131, while the average daily cost in Denver is $218. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Frankfurt and Denver in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Frankfurt $62
    Denver $87
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Frankfurt $124
    Denver $174
Compare Hotels in Frankfurt and Denver

Looking for a hotel in Frankfurt or Denver? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Frankfurt


Hotels in Denver


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Denver Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Frankfurt $27
    Denver $101
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Frankfurt

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Frankfurt:


  • Car Rental
    $54

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Frankfurt

Also for Frankfurt, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Frankfurt Hahn Airport: Bus transfer from/to Mainz: $18
  • Frankfurt Hahn Airport: Bus transfer from/to city central: $20
  • Private One Way Frankfurt Airport Transfer To and From Frankfurt: $45
  • Departure Private Transfer: Frankfurt to Frankfurt Airport FRA by business car: $54
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Frankfurt Airport FRA to Frankfurt by business car: $54
  • Transfer in Private Vehicle from Frankfurt City - Frankfurt Airport (FRA): $54
  • Private 1-Way Transfer From Frankfurt Airport: $54
  • Frankfurt to Frankfurt Airport (FRA) Departure Private Transfer: $55
  • Frankfurt Airport (FRA) to Frankfurt Arrival Private Transfer: $55
  • Transfer in Private Minivan from Frankfurt City - Frankfurt Airport (FRA): $61
  • Arrival Private Transfer: Frankfurt Airport FRA to Frankfurt by Luxury Vehicle: $63
  • Arrival Transfer: Frankfurt Airport FRA to Frankfurt in Car: $73

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Denver

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Denver:

  • Transfer in private minivan from Denver International Airport(DEN) to Downtown: $86
  • Transfer in Private Car from Denver International Airport (DEN) to Downtown: $72
  • Transfer in Private Car from Denver Downtown to International Airport (DEN) : $72
  • Round trip transfer in private minivan from-to Denver Intl. Airport to Downtown: $173
  • Private Transfer from Denver to Denver Airport DEN in Business Car: $108
  • Private Transfer from Denver Airport DEN to Denver in Business Car: $108
  • Private One-way Denver Airport Transfer To/From Denver: $114
  • Private One Way Transfer From and To Denver Colorado: $200
  • Private City Tour in Denver with Transfer: $130
  • Private Arrival Transfer - Denver International Airport (DEN) : $40
  • Departure Private Transfer: Denver to Denver Airport DEN in Luxury Van: $136
  • Departure Private Transfer: Denver to Denver Airport DEN in Luxury SUV: $136

Is it cheaper to fly into Frankfurt or Denver?

Prices for flights to both Denver and Frankfurt change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Frankfurt $44
    Denver $42
Typical Food Prices in Frankfurt

For Frankfurt, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Soda
    $2.14
  • Bagel Sandwich and Latte
    $7.50
  • Ham & Cheese Sandwich and Coffee
    $6.43
  • Sandwich and Cola
    $7.50

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Frankfurt

For Frankfurt, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Sharing Plate Food Tour In Frankfurt: $66
  • FOOD TOUR WITH 3-4 LOCAL INSIDER FOODSPOTS: $81
  • FOOD TOUR TO 3-4 LOCAL FOODSPOTS: $81
  • Eltz Castle Small-Group Tour from Frankfurt with Dinner: $283

Typical Food Prices in Denver

Some typical examples of dining costs in Denver are as follows:


  • Sushi Dinner (for 2)
    $61

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Denver

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Denver.

  • RiNo Arts District Food Tour: $79
  • Downtown Denver Food Tour: $79
  • Arts District Walking Food Tour: $79
  • Mystery Puzzle Food Tour in Golden, CO: $80
  • The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show - Denver, CO: $86

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Frankfurt $39
    Denver $52

Tours and Activities in Frankfurt

For Frankfurt, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Selfguided Audiotour "Frankfurt Old Town": $3.22
  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
  • Germany eSIM Tourist Roaming Data Plan: $4.31
  • City Exploration Game and Tour: $4.84
  • Frankfurt Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.57
  • Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & City Tour: $7.00
  • Struwwelpeter Museum Entry Ticket w/Audio Guide: $7.53
  • A Self-Guided Audio Tour by Smartphone: $7.99
  • Old Town Smartphone Audio Tour: $7.99
  • Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App: $8.07
  • Frankfurt Missing Treasure Quest Experience: $8.20
  • Historisches Museum Entry Ticket: $8.61

Tours and Activities in Denver

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Denver are as follows:

  • Colorado Green Friendly Mountain Sunset Tour from Denver: $79
  • Denver's Wild History Tour & Ballpark Museum : $24
  • Shared Golden's History Wagon Ride Tour in Colorado: $65
  • Small-Group Cocktail Tour in Denver: $99
  • 1.5 Hour RiNo Art District Walking Tour: $28
  • 2 Hour Guided Segway Tour: $69
  • 2 Hour LoDo Historic Walking Tour in Denver: $28
  • Beginner Rock Climbing Tour: $200
  • Best of Denver Tour: $30
  • Best of Denver Tour: $64
  • Best of Denver Tour: $24
  • Bike and Booze Tour of RiNo & Downtown: $76

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Frankfurt $32
    Denver $5.31
Typical Alcohol Prices in Frankfurt

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Frankfurt:


  • Becks Beer
    $2.14

Sample the Local Flavors in Frankfurt

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Frankfurt:

  • Night Pub Crawl through Alt-Sachsenhausen: $22
  • Weekend Night Pub Crawl through Alt-Sachsenhausen: $34
  • Private Wine Tour Grape Escape Rhine Valley from Frankfurt: $251
  • Frankfurt Wine Tasting Tour with a Wine Expert: $282
  • Frankfurt Wine Tasting Tour with a Wine Expert: $287
  • Guided Walk Tour With Apple Wine Tasting: $336
  • Bachelor(ette) Party with Pub Crawl: $404
  • Private Premium Pub Crawl Tour: $517
  • Private Rhine Valley tour with river cruise & wine tasting: $752

Sample the Local Flavors in Denver

Also in Denver, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • 4-Hour Downtown Denver Pub Crawl: $25
  • Denver Terrors Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $32
  • Terrors Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
  • Private Vintner's Wine Tasting Experience in Colorado: $40
  • Golden Ghosts & Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl: $45
  • Wild West Pub Crawl in Golden: $65
  • Craft Distillery Bus Tour: $71
  • Wine Tasting with Cheese, Charcuterie, and Dessert : $74
  • Guided Downtown Denver Walking Wine Tour: $190


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Frankfurt and Denver, we can see that Denver is more expensive. And not only is Frankfurt much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Frankfurt is in Europe and Denver is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Frankfurt would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Frankfurt and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Denver would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Denver than you might in Frankfurt.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Frankfurt Expensive? and Is Denver Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Frankfurt or Denver?

Frankfurt has a larger population, and is about 17% larger than the population of Denver. When comparing the sizes of Frankfurt and Denver, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.